Resetting control mechanism for counting device



RESETTING CONTROL MECHANISM FOR coumme DEVICE Filed Dec. 6, 1965 Nov. 9, 1965 E. c. AMBLER ETAL 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS EDWARD C. AMBLER BRADLEY L. BATSON ATTORNEYS 1965 E. c. AMBLER ETAL 9 RESETTING CONTROL MECHANISM FOR COUNTING DEVICE Filed Dec. 6, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS EDWARD C. AMBLER BRADLEY L. BATSON Bax M7,

ATTORNEYS RESETTING CONTROL MECHANISM FOR COUNTING DEVICE Filed D90. 6, 1963 Nov. 9, 1965 E. c. AMBLER ETAL 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 R N E fimm O MA M AB E W vs. V E E R N Mm m T wwf T W A VI 8 I Nov. 9, 1965 E. c. AMBLER ETAL 3,216,659

RESETTING CONTROL MECHANISM FOR COUNTING DEVICE Filed Dec. 6, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS EDWARD C. AMBLER BRADLEY L. BATSON svzmi ATTOR N EYS RESE'ITING CONTROL MECHANISM FOR COUNTING DEVICE Filed D60- 6, 1963 Nov. 9, 1965 E. c. AMBLER ETAL 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS EDWARD C. AMBLER BRADLEY L. BATSON ATTORNEYS RESETTING CONTROL MECHANISM FOR COUNTING DEVICE Filed Dec. 6, 1965 E. C. AMBLER ETAL 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 g e a INVENTORS EDWARD C. AMBLER BRADLEY BATSON BYQMV 442/7? ATTORNEYS 74/ function is complete. the mechanism automatically activates the associated apparatus and upon subsequent deactivation of the appara- United States Patent 3,216,659 RESETTING CONTROL MECHANISM FOR COUNTING DEVICE Edward C. Ambler, Newington, and Bradley L. Batson,

The present invention relates generally to the resetting of counting devices and is more specifically concerned with a resetting control mechanism having particular utility in connection with counters or registers designed for registering the volume and/or cost of a dispensed liquid, as for example, the conventional volume and cost registers utilized in connection with the dispensing of gasoline.

It is a principal aim of the present invention to provide a new and improved resetting control mechanism particularly useful with and which may be conveniently installed in a typical gasoline pump or dispensing apparatus and which is adapted for automatically conditioning the apparatus for the dispensing of fuel only after the register has been reset. The present invention contemplates a control mechanism whose operation may be initiated manually either by a mechanical linkage or with minimum modification by an electrical switch.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a novel resetting control mechanism of the type described which is adaptable for use in conventional dispensing apparatus without special modification of the apparatus, which may be easily installed and removed for faciliating initial installation and subsequent servicing and which is therefore designed for immediate acceptance by dispensing apparatus manufacturers.

It is another aim of the present invention to provide a new and improved resetting control mechanism of improved reliability and performance and which is economically constructed with a minimum number of parts operable within minimum space requirements.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a compact resetting control mechanism which provides for improved operation for alternately conditioning a register or other counting device for a resetting function and which assures that the apparatus with which the register is associated remains deactivated until the resetting After the register has been reset tus either through a mechanical linkage or electrical circuitry, the apparatus may not be reactivated until the register is again reset.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an improved counter resetting control mechanism whose operation is initiated manually to place a dispensing apparatus in an off or deactivated condition, which is operable for resetting the counter and after the resetting is complete to automatically place the dispensing apparatus in an on or active condition, and which can be manually operated for placing the apparatus in an off condition only after the resetting is completed.

It is another aim of the present invention to provide an improved resetting control mechanism for registers or the like which has a resetting drive shaft that can be driven in either rotational direction in accordance with the particular installation of the mechanism, and which allows for manual resetting as where the automatic features of the control mechanism are inoperative due, for example, to a failure in the electrical power supply to the mechanism.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter.

Patented Nov. 9, 1965 The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly broken away, of a gasoline dispensing apparatus incorporating an embodiment of a resetting control mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view, partly exploded, of the resetting control mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the housing of the resetting control mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a register of the dispensing apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of the register;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the resetting control mechanism with the housing cover removed, showing the principal operating parts in one operative position and additionally showing diagrammatically an electrical control circuit used in connection with the control mechanism;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial side elevational view, partly broken away, showing the principal operating parts in another operative position;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are partial side elevational views similar to FIG. 7 showing the principal operating parts in two other operative positions and further showing diagrammatically the fluid system of the dispensing apparatus; and

FIG. 10 is a partial side elevational view similar to FIGS. 79 of a modified resetting control mechanism, further showing diagrammatically an embodiment of an electrical control circuit used in connection therewith.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, wherein like numerals represent like parts, there is shown in FIG. 1 a fragmentary view of an apparatus generally denoted by the numeral 10 conventionally useful for the dispensing and registering of volume and cost of gasoline, and which in a well-known manner is provided with a manually operable dispensing nozzle 12 on the end of a gasoline delivery hose 14. As seen in FIG. 1, the nozzle 12 is adapted for storage in a recess or receptacle 16 when the dispensing apparatus is not in use. The dispensing apparatus is provided with a volume and cost register, generally denoted by the numeral 18 (FIGS. 4 and 5), having two pairs of cost and volume counters 20, 22, respectively, which may be viewed through windows (not shown) on the front and back faces of the dispensing apparatus housing.

As shown, the register 18 is generally of the type disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,814,444 on an invention of Harvey N. Bliss entitled Register and will therefore not be described in detail here. Generally, however, the register number wheels are independently released from their normal counter drive mechanism and are drivingly connected to coaxially mounted reset gears 24 by axial displacement of the wheel supporting shafts 25-28. The wheels are then reset by gears 30 fixed to shafts 32, 33 which shafts are operatively connected by an idler gear 34 freely mounted on a shaft 36 hereinafter termed for convenience a main reset shaft. For coordinating the wheel disengagement with resetting, the shaft 32 is operatively connected to the main reset shaft 36 by an intermittent drive mechanism including a gear 38 fixed to the shaft 32 and a gear sector 40 fixed for rotation with the main reset shaft 36. For reference purposes the intermittent drive mechanism is more fully described and claimed in the copending application of Otto Wild, In, Serial Number 142,905, filed October 4, 1961, and enporting shafts.

gear sector54 meshing with a series of circumferential teeth 56 formed on the protruding ends of the wheel sup- Alocking disc segment 60 formed integrally with the gear sector 40 cooperates with a locking plate 62 formed integrally with the gear 38 to lock the resetting gears 30 against rotation until the wheel supporting shafts have been axially shifted to release or disengage the wheels from their normal drive at which point the gear sector 40 engages the gears 38 to reset the register, it being understood that the functions of wheel disengagement, wheel resetting and wheel re-engagement are completed by revolving the main reset shaft 36 through a-control cycle of one complete revolution. The reset shaft 36 thereby operates as a rotary controller for alternately conditioning the register wheels for a registering operation and a resetting operation and additionally for resetting the register wheels.

In accordance with the present invention, the main reset shaft'36 is adapted for being selectively rotated one complete revolution'for selectively resetting the register 18. This is accomplished by the resetting control mechanism'which is preferably entirely enclosed within an explosion-proof housing 70 having an output or reset drive shaft 72. The reset drive shaft 72 is drivingly connected to the main reset shaft 36 by a coupling 74 having a bi furcated end which receives a transverse pin 76 fixed to the main reset shaft 36. Thereset control mechanism housing is mounted within the dispensing apparatus housing asby a bracket 78 and fasteners 80 threaded to the housing 70 and is thereby secured for rapid installation or removal.

As seen in FIG; 1, a control shaft 84 extending through the housing 70 is connected to a manually operable handle 86 by a coupling 88 similar to the coupling 74. In a usual manner, the control handle 86 is shown mounted adjacent the useful nozzle receptacle 16 and in this arrangement must be in the vertical or 011" position, shown in FIG. 1, when the nozzle is received in the receptacle, and is angularly displaced, in the clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 1, when the nozzle is removed for conditioning the dispensing apparatus for resetting of the register and subsequent dispensing of gasoline.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6-9, the control shaft 84 is connected for driving a reset control cam 90 through a sleeve-92 fixed onto the shaft 84, a drive pawl 94 fixed onto the sleeve 92 and a torsion spring 96 interconnecting the sleeve and control cam. The pawl 94 is of generally cylindrical shape for rotatably. mounting the cam 90 and has. a radial extension 98 received within a sector opening 100 in the cam 90 whereby the cam has-an angular freedom of movement with respect to the pawl 94 of approximately 90 degrees although the torsion spring normally maintains the cam 90 in engagement with the pawl 94 as seen in FIG. 6.

A reset switch actuating lever 104 is pivotally mounted on a pin 106 press-fit within the housing 70 and has a rounded extension 108 in engagement with the reset cam 90, which engagement is maintained by a tension coilspring 110. The lever 104 acts as a switch operator for an electrical reset switch 106 when the lever 104 is pivoted against the bias of the spring 110 by the control cam 90, the switch 106 being electrically connected for energizing the electrical reset motor 112 secured within the explosion-proof housing 71 Accordingly, angular movement of the control handle 86 angularly shifts the control cam from the off position shown in 7 FIG. 7 to the on position shown in FIG. 8 to pivot the reset lever 104 for actuating the switch 106 and thereby energize the electrical motor 112. A pivotally mounted stop pawl 107 provides for limiting the forward angular movement of the control cam 90, counterclockwise as seen in FIGS. 6-9, for which purpose it is maintained in engagement with the reset cam by a torsion spring 109. A reverse latch 111 is pivotally mounted on the pin 106 and has an axially extending tab 115 providing a cam follower biased into engagement with the control cam 90 by a tension coil spring 113. With the control cam 90 in its on position in engagement with the stop pawl 107, the latch 111 is free to pivot, clockwise as seen in FIG. 8, and thereby catch the control cam 90 through engagement withthe-cam shoulder 117 whereby the control cam 90 is locked against-reverse angular displacement.

A speed reducer operably connects the electrical motor 112 with a ratchet 116 freely mounted on an internal housing hub 117 by means of a worm gear 120 and worm wheel 122, a shaft 124, a worm gear 126,-and

a worm wheel 128 fixed upon a hub of the ratchet wheel sequencing-link or slide 140. The ratchet pawl 130 is normally maintained in operative engagement with the ratchet wheel 116 by atension coil spring 142.connected to the pawl and to thecam '132 and in such operative position drivingly connects the electrical reset motor112 with the intermediate shaft 118.

Referring to FIG. 1, the intermediate shaft :118 is connected to the reset drive shaft 72 by a-pair of spur gears 144, 146 and an intermediate idler gear 148, the idler gear 148 being rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 150 press-fit within the side of the housing 70. Accordingly, the electrical reset motor 112 is adapted to drive the reset drive shaft 72, counterclockwise as seen in FIG. l,'to providefor resetting the register'1'8. Where desirable the reset drive shaft 72 may be driven in the opposite rotational direction, as where register resetting is effected in that direction, .by elimination of .the idler gear'148 and by replacing the spur gears 144, .1-46 with spur gears (not shown) ofsuitable size. Additionally, as where there. is an electrical failure within the resetting control mechanism, resetting may be manually performed with a screwdriver, for which purpose the hub of the spurgear 144 is slotted and the housing of the dispensing apparatus is provided with a removable plug 147, it being understood that during manual reset the oneway ratchet drive is automatically disengaged.

The slide 140 is supported for reciprocable movement within the housing 70 by parallel flanges 154,156 formed integrally with the housing and supports a pair of diametrically opposed rollers 158, by a pair of pins- 162 staked to the slide. The roller 160 provides a cam: follower adapted for engagement with the cam 132 whereby upon angularrotation of the cam, clockwise as seem in FIGS. 6-9, the slide is displaced from the position: shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 9. The slide has an extension 164 with integral pins 166,168 that are received within slots formed respectively, in a pump motor operating lever and a valve operating lever 172. The pump operating lever 170 is freely mounted for rotation on the manual control shaft 84- whereas the valve operating lever 172 is. secured to a valve control shaft 174 which is rotatably supported for extension through the side of the housing and having suitable linkage 176 external of the housing for operating a fluid valve 177 (FIGS. 8 and-9), tqr ramme the fuel line to the delivery hose 14, as where a single fuel pump is used for more than one fuel delivery nozzle. A tension coil spring 173 is connected to the pump operating lever 170 to urge it clockwise as seen in FIGS. 69 and thereby to bias the slide 140 to its withdrawn position, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in which position the valve 177 is closed'and the pump operating lever is in its off position.

Accordingly, the electrical reset motor 112 operates to rotate the cams 132, 134 from their rest position, shown in FIG. 7, in conjunction with the operation of the reset drive shaft 72, and after the resetting function has been completed during approximately the first 330 degrees of angular travel of the intermediate shaft 118 a lobe 180 on the cam 132 operates through the follower 160 to displace the slide 140 against the bias of the tension spring 173, whereupon a double pole double throw switch 182 is actuated by the pump control lever 170, as best seen in FIG. 9, to energize the fuel pump motor 179 (FIGS. 8 and 9) and to de-energize the reset motor. At the same time the valve control lever 172 is operated to open the valve 17 7 for delivering fuel to the nozzle 12. Where desired, however, the valve operating mechanism could be replaced by a solenoid (not shown) controlled by the switch 182 in conjunction with the control of the pump motor 179.

As the pump operating lever 170 is pivoted, counterclockwise as seen in FIGS. 6-9, to energize the pump motor a radial extension 190 of the lever engages the latch follower 115 and thereby operates to release the control cam by pivoting the latch 111 against the bias of the tension spring 113 with the result that the mechanism is conditioned for manual shut-off by the handle 86. As further seen in FIG. 9, when the slide 140 reaches its fully extended position, the pump operating lever 170 is pivotal to a position where a slotted corner of the lever extension 190 receives the follower 115 whereby the follower 115 provides a detent orlatch for retaining the lever 170 and the slide 140 in their extended positions against the bias of the tension spring 173.

With the slide 140 fully extended, as shown in FIG. 9, the roller 158 thereon is substantially in engagement with a cylindrical portion of the cam 132 and as a result is located in the path of travel of the outer end of the ratchet pawl 130. The ratchet pawl 130 is preferably positioned so that it engages the roller 158 to disengage or declutch the ratchet drive a few degrees past the position where the cam 132 has fully extended the slide 1411 thereby terminating the mechanical drive between the electrical reset motor 112 and the intermediate shaft 118 after the slide has been fully extended. As the electrical reset motor 112 has thereby been de-energized by the switch 182 at a position a few degrees prior to the disengagement of the ratchet drive, the inertia or coasting of the electrical reset motor and the ratchet wheel drive mechanism is relied upon to carry the cam 132 and therefore the ratchet pawl 130 from the angular position where the electrical reset motor is de-energized to the angular position where the ratchet drive is disengaged. After the ratchet drive is disengaged, the intermediate shaft 118 and the cams 132, 134 are revolved a few degrees further to their rest position, shown in FIG. 6, by their own inertia and by the angular force presented on the cam 134 through a detent follower 199 rotatably mounted on a detent pawl 200, for which purpose the cam 134 is provided with a cam lobe 202 for pivoting the detent pawl 200 outwardly against the bias of a tension coil spring 204 and an adjacent recess 208 (FIG. 9) for receiving the follower 199 when the cam 134 is in its rest position. Accordingly, for each resetting cycle, the cams 132, 134 are angularly displaced one comple-te revolution and the reset drive shaft 72 is similarly displaced one complete revolution for fully resetting the register.

In the usual manner, with the fuel pump motor on and the valve 177 open, fuel can be delivered with the delivery nozzle 12 and the register is suitably driven to which results in clockwise rotation of the reset control cam 90, as seen in FIGS. 6-9. This clockwise motion of the reset control cam provides for pivotal withdrawal of the reset switch operating lever 104 by the spring to break the circuit through the reset switch 106 and for subsequently releasing the pump operating lever 170 through the engagement of the cam lobe with the follower 115, thereby enabling the slide to return to its withdrawn position under the bias of the tension spring 173 to fully deactivate the dispensing apparatus. The return of the slide 140 to its fully withdrawn position is assisted by a stop pin 218 mounted on the reset control cam 90 which pin also provides for limiting the angular freedom of movement of the control cam 90. As should be understood, the dispensing apparatus is not again activated by the return of the slide to its extended position until after a subsequent resetting of the register has been completed.

For a subsequent fuel delivery, the control handle 86 is revolved to its position shown in FIG. 1 to initiate another resetting cycle, or where desirable, between deliveries and without restoring the fuel nozzle to the receptacle 16, the register may be conveniently reset merely by cycling the manual control handle 86.

Referring to FIG. 10, the reset control mechanism of the present invention can be readily modified to provide remote control of the reset as by a single pole double throw switch 220 having a reset or on position and an off position. Such remote control is useful as where the register is located remotely from the pumping station for which purpose the manual control handle 86 and the coupling 88 can be eliminated, and the reset control cam 90 can be conveniently replaced by a conventional washer 2 22. Although the latch 111 therefore no longer funct ons as a reset control cam latch, it nevertheless still functions to latch the pump operating lever 170. In this embodiment the latch 111 is actuated for releasing the lever and slide 140 by an electrical solenoid 224 which may be conveniently mounted within the explosion-proof housmg 70 substantially in the position of the removed reset switch 106. As can be seen upon reference to the circuitry diagrammatically shown in FIG. 10, the control switch 220 in its reset or on position provides for energizing the reset motor 112 and thereby provides for resetting the register 18 and subsequently actuating the slide 140 to its extended position for operating the switch 182. The switch 182 thereby de-energizes the reset motor 112 and energizes the pump motor 179, with the valve 177 being opened by the slide 140 as in the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9. 1 I

After a fuel delivery is completed, the pump motor 179 can be de-energized merely by moving the switch 220 to its off position. The solenoid 224 is thereby energized to release the latch 111 with the result that the slide 140 is returned to its withdrawn position under the bias of the spring 173. This operates to de-energize the pump motor 179 and to concomitantly de-energize the solenoid Thus it can be seen that the resetting control mechanism of the present invention provides for resetting the register of the dispensing apparatus while maintaining the fuel valve closed and the fuel pump de-energized, and for activating the dispensing apparatus only after the resetting cycle is completed. These functions are provided with a highly reliable mechanism which can be economically manufactured with a minimum number of parts. Moreover, the control mechanism of the present invention is adapted for mechanical control as through a manually operable handle or for electrical control by a switch which may be located remotely from the register.

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications and adaptations of the structure above described will become readily apparent without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In combination with a counter having a plurality of number wheelsand a resetting control element operable for conditioning the number wheels alternately for a registering operation and a resetting operation, a resetting control mechanism comprising, a reset motor, transmission means including a disengageable clutch operably connecting: the reset motor and resetting control element, a Sequencing slide reciprocable between a retracted position and an extendedposition, means for automatically actuating the sequencing slide to its extended position after predetermined operation of the control element, means operable with the sequencing slide in its extended position only ior disengaging the clutch, means operable with the sequenching slide in its extended position only for deactivating the reset motor, and manually operable means for alternatively activating the resetmotor and returning the slide to its retracted position.

2. The resetting control mechanism of claim 1 wherein the manually operable-means comprises a latch for automatically retaining the sequencing slide in its extended position, spring means for biasing the slide to its retracted position, a switch operable for activating the reset motor, and manual control meansfor alternatively releasing the latchand operating the switch.

3. The resetting control mechanism of claim 1 wherein the manually operable means comprises a latch for automatically retaining the slide in its extended position, spring means-for biasing the sequencing slide to its retractedposition, electromagnetic means for releasing the latch, and manually operable switch means for alternativelyactiv-ating the electromagnetic means and energizing the reset motor.

4. In combination with a counter having a plurality ,of number wheels and a rotatable resetting control element operable forconditioning the number wheels alternately for a registering operation and a resetting operation, a resetting control mechanism comprising, an electrical reset motor, transmission means including a disengageable clutch operably connecting-the reset motor and control element, a rotatable control cam operably connected for rotation with the control element, a sequencing slide reciproca'ble bet-ween a retracted position and an extended position, said slide having a cam follower engageable by the control --cam for actuating the slide to its extended position after predetermined rotary movement of the control element, a latch for retaining the slide in its extended position, said disengageable clutch comprising a rotary ratchet drivetwheel anda ratchet pawl pivotally mounted for operative engagement with the ratchet Wheel, means operable with the slide in its extended position only for pivoting the ratchet pawl out of operative engagement :with theratchet wheel, and manually operable means for alternatively energizing the reset motor and releasing the 'latch.

5 The resetting control mechanism of claim 6 wherein the manually operable means comprises electromag netic means for releasing the latch, and manually operable switch means for alternatively energizing the electromagnetic means and energizing the reset motor.

6. In combination with a fluid dispensing apparatus having-a fluidpump, a fluid valve for controlling the dispensing of-fluid, and a counting mechanism with a plurality of 'numberwheels and a resetting control element operable through a control cycle for conditioning the number wheels alternately for a registering operation and a resetting ,operation, aresetting control mechanism comprising an electrical reset motor, means operably connecting the reset motor and control element, a sequencing slide reciprocable between a retracted position and an extended position, meansactuating ,the slide to its extended slide in its extended position, spring means for returning the slide to its retracted position upon release of the latch means, means connected to the slide operable with the slide in its extended position only for activating the fluid pump and opening the fluid valve, and manually operable means for releasing the latch and energizing the electrical reset motor.

7. In a fluid dispensing apparatus having a fluid pump, a resettable register operable in conjunction with the dispensing of fluid, and a resetting control element 0perable for conditioning the register alternately for a registering operation and a resetting operation, a resetting control mechanism for selectively operating the control element and fluid pump comprising, an electrical reset motor for operating the control element, a rotary control cam manually operable between an OFF position and an ON position, a latch for retaining the control cam in its ON position, a first switch operable for energizing the reset motor, a first level operable by the control cam in its ON position for operating the first switch, a second switch operable for de-energizing the reset motor and for activating the fluid pump, a second switch lever pivotal from a deactive position to an active position operating said second switch, said second lever having means for releasing the latch retention of the control cam upon pivotal movement to its active position, said latch having means for retaining the second lever in its active position, and means for pivoting the second lever to its active position after predetermined operation of the control element, said control cam being oriented for releasing the latch retention of the second lever upon movement to its OFF position.

8. In an apparatus operable for dispensing fluid having a resettable register operable in conjunction with the dispensing of fluid and a resetting control element operable for conditioning the register alternately for a registering operation and a resetting operation, and with the apparatus being deactivated during the resettingoperation, a resetting control mechanism comprising an electrical reset motor for operating the control element, a first switch operable for energizing the reset motor, a second' switch operable for de-energizing the reset motor and activating the fluid dispensing apparatus, a rotatable control cam manually operable between an OFF position and an ON position, said control cam in its ON position operating the first switch, a latch for retaining the control cam in its ON position, a switch lever pivotal from an inactive position to an active position operating saidsecond switch, said switch lever having means for releasing the latch upon pivotal movement to its active position,

and means for pivoting the switch lever to its active position after predetermined operation of the control element.

9. In an apparatus operable for dispensing fluid having a resettable register operable in conjunction with the dispensing of fluid, a resetting control element operable for conditioning the register alternately for a registering operation and for a resetting operation, and with the apparatus being deactivated during the resetting operation, a resetting control mechanism comprising, an electrical reset motor for operating the control element, a first switch operable for energizing the reset motor, a rotatable control cam manually operable between an OFF position and an ON position operating the first switch, pivotally mounted latching means for retaining the cam in its ON position, a second switch operable for de-energizing the reset motor and activating the fluid dispensing apparatus, a switch lever pivotally mounted coaxially with the control cam for movement from an inactive position to an active position operating said second switch, said lever having means for releasing the retention of the control cam upon pivotal movement to its active position, said latching means adapted for retaining the lever in its active position, and means for actuating the lever to its active position after predetermined operation of the control element, said control cam being oriented for releasing the retention of the second lever upon movement to its OFF position.

10. In an apparatus having a resettable counting device and a resetting element operable through a cycle for resetting the counting device and wherein the apparatus is deactivated during the resetting of the counting device, a resetting control mechanism comprising an electrical reset motor, transmission means operably connecting the reset motor and resetting element, a reset switch operable for energizing the reset motor, a manually operable control cam rotatable between an OFF position and an ON position operating the reset switch, a control switch operable for activating the apparatus and for de-energizing the reset motor, a sequencing link reciprocable between a retracted position and an extended position, means operable with the sequencing link in the extended position only for automatically operating the control switch, latching means for retaining the control cam in its ON position until the sequencing link is moved to its extended position and for retaining the sequencing link in its extended position until the control cam is operated to its OFF position, and means connected for operation with the resetting element for actuating the sequencing link to its extended position after predetermined operation of the resetting element.

11. In an apparatus having a resettable'counting device and a resetting element operable through a cycle for resetting the counting device and wherein the apparatus is deactivated during the resetting of the counting device, a resetting control mechanism comprising an electrical reset motor, transmission means operably connecting the reset motor and resetting'element, a reset switch operable for energizing the reset motor, a manually operable control cam rotatable between an OFF position and a reset switch operating position, a sequencing link reciprocable between a retracted position and an extended position, means operable with the sequencing link in the extended position only for automatically activating the apparatus, latching means for retaining the control cam in its reset switch operating position until the sequencing link is actuated to its extended position and retaining the sequencing link in its extended position until the control cam is rotated to its OFF position, and means connected for operation with the resetting element for actuating the sequencing link to its extended position after predetermined operation of the resetting element.

12. In an apparatus having a resettable counting device and a rotary resetting element operable through one revolution for resetting the counting device and wherein the apparatus is deactivated during the resetting of the counting device, a resetting control mechanism comprising an electrical reset motor, transmission means operably connecting the reset motor and resetting element, a manually operable control cam rotatable between ON and OFF positions, a reset switch operable by the control cam in its ON position for energizing the reset motor, a control lever pivotal between an inactive position and an apparatus activating position, a slide reciprocable between a retracted position and an extended position, said slide being operably connected to the control lever for pivoting the control lever to its activating position upon movement to its extended position, latching means for retaining the control cam in its ON position until the control lever is moved to its activating position and retaining the control lever in its activating position until the control cam is roated to its OFF position, means connected for operation with the resetting element adapted for actuating the slide to its extended position after predetermined rotary movement of less than a complete revolution of the resetting element, and means for automatically limiting the rotary movement of the resetting element to one complete revolution.

13. The resetting control mechanism of claim 12 wherein the transmission means includes a disengageable clutch and wherein the means for automatically limiting the rotary movement of the resetting element to one complete revolution includes means on the slide operable with the slide in its extended position for disengaging the clutch and a detent mechanism comprising a rotary detent cam operably connected to the resetting element and having a cam lobe and an adjacent cam recess, a pivotal detent follower in engagement with the detent cam, and spring means biasing the detent follower against the detent cam. 14. In a fluid dispensing apparatus having a resettable counting device and a resetting element operable for resetting the counting device and wherein the dispensing apparatus is deactivated during the resetting of the counting device, a resetting control mechanism comprising a rotary timing cam operably connected with the resetting element, an electrical reset motor; transmission means operably connecting the reset motor and resetting element including a ratchet wheel, and a ratchet pawl pivotally mounted on the timing cam for operative engagement with the ratchet wheel, a slide reciprocable between a retracted position and an extended position, spring means biasing the slide to its retracted position, said slide having a first roller providing a cam follower engageable by the timing cam for actuating the slide to its extended position after predetermined angular movement of the resetting element, said slide having a second roller operable with the slide in its extended position to pivot the ratchet pawl out of operative engagement with the drive ratchet for disengaging the drive between the reset motor and resetting element, latch means for retaining the slide in its extended position, means operable by the slide in its extended position for activating the fluid dispensing apparatus, and manually operable means for alternatively energizing the reset motor and disengaging the latch means.

15. In .a fluid dispensing apparatus having a resettable counting device and a rotary resetting element operable for resetting the counting device, a resetting control mechanism comprising an enclosed housing, a resetting drive shaft rotatably mounted in the housing with both ends extending externally thereof, one end of said drive shaft being adapted for operative connection with the rotary resetting element, an intermediate shaft rotatably mounted in the housing having one end extending externally of the housing adjacent to the other end of said drive shaft, an electrical reset motor within the housing, transmission means with the housing operably connecting the reset motor and intermediate shaft including a one-way clutch for driving the intermediate shaft in one rotational direction, replaceable gear means exterior of the housing operably connecting said other end of the drive shaft and said one end of the intermediate shaft, said replaceable gear means including an idler gear for driving the drive shaft in one rotational direction and being replaceable for driving the drive shaft inthe opposite rotational direction, and control means within the housing for energizing the reset motor and for terminating the operation of the intermediate shaft after predetermined rotary operation thereof. 16. In combination with a counter having a plurality of number wheels and a resetting control element operable for conditioning the number wheels alternately for a registering operation and a resetting operation, a resetting control mechanism comprising, a reset motor, transmission means including a disengageable clutch operably connecting the reset motor and resetting control element, a slide reciprocable between a retracted position and an extended position, means for actuating the slide to its extended position after predetermined operation of the control element, means operable with the slide in its extended position for disengaging the clutch, and manually operable means for alternatively activating the reset motor and returning the slide to its retracted position, said manually operable means comprising a latch for automatically retaining the slide in its extended position, a switch operable for activating the reset motor, and manual control means for alternatively releasing the latch and operating the switch, said manual control means comprising a rotatable control cam, a manually operable handle connected for operating the control cam and a lever for operating the switch, the control cam, latch and lever being oriented whereby the latch is released by the cam in one angular position thereof and the lever is actuated by the cam to operate the switch in another angular position thereof. v

17. In combination with a counter having a plurality of number wheels and a rotatable resetting control element operable for conditioning the number wheels alternately for a registering operation and a resetting operation, a resetting control mechanism comprising an electrical reset motor, transmission means operably connecting the reset motor and control element, a rotatable control cam operably connected for rotation with the control element, a sequencing link operable between a retracted position and an extended position, said sequencing link having a cam follower engageable by the control cam for actuating the sequencing link to its extended position after predetermined rotary movement of the control element, means operable with the sequencing link in its extended position only for automatically terminating the operation of the control element, releasable retaining means for retaining the sequencing link in its extended position, and manually operable means for alternatively energizing the reset motor and for releasing the retaining means.

18. In combination with a counter having a plurality of number wheels and a rotatable resetting control element operable for conditioning the number wheels alternately for a registering operation and a resetting operation, a resetting control mechanism comprising, an electrical reset motor, transmission means including a disengageable clutch operably connecting the reset motor and control element, a rotatable control cam operably connected for rotation with the control element, a slide reciprocable between a retracted position and an extended position, said slide having a cam follower engageable by the control cam for actuating the slide to its extended position after predetermined rotary movement of the control element, a latch for retaining the slide in its extended position, said disengageable clutch comprising a rotary ratchet drive wheel and a ratchet pawl pivotally mounted for operative engagement with the ratchet wheel, means operable with the slide in its extended position for pivoting the ratchet pawl out of operative engagement with the ratchet wheel, and manually operable means for alternatively energizing the reset motor and releasing the latch, said manually operable means comprising a second rotatable control cam, means for-manually operating said second control cam, a switch operable for energizing the reset motor, and a lever for operating the switch, the second control cam, latch and lever being oriented whereby the latch is released by the second control cam in one angular position thereof and the lever is actuated by the came to operate the switch in another angular position thereof.

19. In combination with an apparatus havinga counting mechanism with a plurality of number wheels and a resetting control element operable for conditioning the number wheels alternately for a registering operation and a resetting operation, and with'the apparatus being deactivated during the resetting operation, a resetting control mechanism comprising a sequencing link operable between a retracted position and an extended position, spring means biasing the sequencing link to its retracted position, means actuating the sequencing link to its extended position after predetermined operation of the control element, means operable with the sequencing link in its extended position only for deactivating the control element, latch means for retaining the sequencing link in its extended position, means operable with the sequencing link in its extended position only for activating the apparatus, and manually operable means for releasing the latch means.

20. In combination with a fluid dispensing apparatus having a fluid pump and a counting mechanism with a plurality of number wheels and a resetting control element operable through a control cycle for conditioning the number wheels alternately for a registering operation and a resetting operation, a resetting control mechanism comprising an electrical .reset motor, means operably connecting the reset motor and control element, a sequencing link operable between a retracted position and an extended position, means actuating the sequencing link to its extended position after predetermined operation of the control element in its control cycle, latch means for retaining the sequencing link in its extended position, means for returning the sequencing link to its retracted position .upon release of the, latch, means connected to the sequencing link operable with the sequencing link in its extended position only for automatically activating the fluid pump, and manually operable means for'releasing the latch and energizing the electrical reset motor.

21. In combination with a fluid dispensing apparatus having a fluid pump, a fluid valve for controlling the dispensing of fluid, and a counting mechanism with a plurality of number wheels and a resetting control element operable through a control cycle for conditioning the number wheels alternately 'for a registering operationand a resetting operation, a resetting control mechanism comprising an electrical reset motor, means operably connecting the reset motor and control element, a slide reciprocable between a retracted position and an extended position, means actuating the slide to its extended position after predetermined operation of the control element in its control cycle, latch means for retaining the slide in its extended position, means for returning the slide to its retracted position upon release of the latch, means operable with the slide in its extended position for activating ,thefluid pump and opening the fluid valve, and manually operable means for releasing the latch and energizing the electrical reset motor, said1manuallyopjer+ able means comprising a manually operable rotatable cam, a switch for the reset motor, and means operable by the cam in one angular position thereof for actuating the switch, said cam in another angular position adapted for disengagingtsaid latch means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED 'STATES PATENTS 1,955,904 4/34 Carroll 222-34 2,626,082 l/53 Bliss et a1. 222-34 2,641,411 6/63 Bell 235-144 3,100,062 8/63 Spalding 235-94 3,142,442 7/64 Wild 235-144 LEO SMILOW, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A COUNTER HAVING A PLURALITY OF NUMBER WHEELS AND A RESETTING CONTROL ELEMENT OPERABLE FOR CONDITIONING THE NUMBER WHEELS ALTERNATELY FOR A REGISTERING OPERATION AND A RESETTING OPERATION, A RESETTING CONTROL MECHANISM COMPRISING, A RESET MOTOR, TRANSMISSION MEANS INCLUDING A DISENGAGEABLE CLUTCH OPERABLY CONNECTING THE RESET MOTOR AND RESETTING CONTROL ELEMENT, A SEQUENCING SLIDE RECIPROCABLE BETWEEN A RETRACTED POSITION AND AN EXPANDED POSITION, MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATING THE SEQUENCING SLIDE TO ITS EXTENDED POSITION AFTER PREDETERMINED OPERATION OF THE CONTROL ELEMENT, MEANS OPERABLE WITH THE SEQUENCING SLIDE IN ITS EXTENDED POSITION ONLY FOR DISENGAGING THE CLUTCH, MEANS OPERABLE WITH THE SEQUENCHING SLIDE IN ITS EXTENDED POSITION ONLY FOR DEACTIVATING THE RESET MOTOR, AND MANUALLY OPERABLE MEANS FOR ALTERNATELY ACTIVATING THE RESET MOTOR AND RETURNING THE SLIDE TO ITS RETRACTED POSITION. 